Virginia Women Open Season at SMU ClassicEight members of swimming team to represent Cavaliers in Dallas

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Eight members of the Virginia women's swimming team will open the 2011-12 season this weekend at the SMU Classic in Dallas, Texas. Live results for the meet will be linked on VirginiaSports.com.

Florida, Louisville, Texas and Wisconsin join host SMU and the Cavaliers in the six-team field. The meet will begin at 7:30 p.m. (6:30 p.m. central) both Friday and Saturday nights.

Assistant coach Doak Finch will accompany the team to Dallas in place of head coach Mark Bernardino, who is assisting the United States men at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.

"We want to go down there and race tough and be aggressive against some good competition," Finch said. "We want to challenge ourselves and see where we are at this point in the season. For our first years, it will be a great experience. This is a unique format and they will get to do some great racing. It's a great way for them to start their college careers and have a lot of fun."

The SMU Classic showcases the strongest and most versatile swimmers of each program. It is designed so that each team must have a representative in each race, however, squads are limited to only eight swimmers and one diver for the entire meet. The SMU Classic provides a rare opportunity to witness high-level competition in the intimate setting of Perkins Natatorium, one of the last six-lane pools in the NCAA.